[Maine-birds] Re: Bald eagles after wood duck

After witnessing many hundreds of Eagle attacks, I'm not especially
surprised by the Wood Duck/Eagle incident.

Eagles are only successful about once in sixteen attacks so the prey
has a good chance if it can hold out.
Younger eagles tend to execute the most attacks, whether because of
hunger, inexperience or poor skills.
Mature eagles tend to conserve energy by breaking off unsuccessful
attacks quite quickly. Often they will perch in the vicinity, watching
for another opportunity at the missed prey. Mature eagles are also
likely better at recognizing when prey is too strong and a kill is
unlikely.

In spite of popular belief, eagles can not lift much weight. A typical
male can manage about 1.5 pounds. A big female would struggle to lift
3 pounds. So it's easy to see why RB Mergansers (max. 3 lbs.) and Ring
Billed Gulls (1.5 lbs.) are staple winter foods.
Although I've seen eagles lift Cormorants (3-5 lbs.) and flap/drag
Loons (5-15 lbs.), the Wood Duck was perfect sized prey.



On Apr 24, 10:39 pm, Jessica Costa <jesslynnco...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Watched two adult bald eagles circle and dive at a wood duck on Highland
> Lake, Falmouth this evening.  The wood duck was calling in alarm
> and managed to effectively evade their attacks by repeatedly bobbing under
> water, even when both eagles starting swooping in more and more
> frequently.  I have to say I was pretty impressed by the wood duck.  After
> a few minutes, the eagles gave up and flew off.  I'm sure all three birds
> were exhausted!

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